Ireland opened their Six Nations campaign with an impressive 34-10 victory over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. It is the heaviest defeat Wales have suffered at home in the tournament since 2001.
In his Winners and Losers article for Wales Online, Mark Orders highlights Hugo Keenan as one of the former, saying the Leinster man had a "virtually flawless game" and adds: "Is he the best full-back in the world right now? It’s not a wild question to ask."
The Irish forwards - especially number eight Caelan Doris - are one of his other winners. Regarding Doris, he writes: "Those searching on the internet for the definition of the word ‘sensational’ on Saturday evening, might well have been confronted by an image of Doris."
Over on BBC Radio Wales, former Welsh international scrum half Richie Rees described the home side as their "own worst enemies".
4 February 2023; Hugo Keenan of Ireland is tackled by Dan Biggar, left, and Josh Adams of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"As soon as we commit that many turnovers to a side as good, with as many talented players as Ireland, you are always going to lose the game," said Rees.
"The final score was 34-10, and to be honest, it could have been a little bit more.
"The frustrating thing from [Warren Gatland's] point of view is that Ireland didn't have to do a whole lot for the points that we gave them. Our discipline was off, 14 penalties, and there must have been about 17 turnovers.
"You're giving them the ball back 30 times, and effectively saying to Ireland - the best team in the world - 'have a crack at us defensively'. We had to make 120-odd tackles in that first half - that's ridiculous. Naturally, that's going to take its toll on any team in the world."
Was it a yellow card? 🟨
📺Live now on BBC Two Wales #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/9hLzjVeVl7— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) February 5, 2023
Also on BBC Radio Wales, Chris Horsman, another ex-Welsh international, added: "It is a disappointing performance but we have to tip our hats to Ireland - they were excellent today. There was probably more pressure on them coming into this game than Wales, and they showed exactly why they are the number one team in the world."
So impressed was Stephen Jones (a Welshman) by Ireland's performance, he believes England need to prepare for their encounter with Andy Farrell's side - which doesn't take place until the final round of the tournament on March 18th - by setting up at home to Italy as if they are playing at the Aviva Stadium.
"This will sound awful and patronising and dismissive," Jones write in the Sunday Times.
"But I feel strongly that England, who play Italy at Twickenham a week today, will need to play that match as if meeting Ireland away from home — as they will eventually this season — and gear up as if for that massive challenge. They should look straight past Italy."
Six Nations Players Ratings: Dominant Ireland Corral Wales In Cardiff
